July / August 2007

Chatty Chatty Bang Bang

May saw our biggest ever day-run turn-out of members to the Omaka Airfield, Blenheim. See more pictures & report pages 5 - 7.

Our new club website is now online. Please visit

www.classicmotoringnelson.org.nz

then email us from the website and tell us what you think. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

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Club Executive 2007

PO Box 500 NELSON 7040

www.classicmotoringnelson.org.nz

President: Frank Griffith Phone: 547 3354 Email: fggriffith@xtra.co.nz

Vice President: Russell Egan Phone: 544 2214 Secretaries: Anne & Graham Fryer Phone: 544 6989

Treasurer: Winston Williamson Phone: 546 6823

Club Captain: Geoff Chilton Phone: 547 4446 Email: concretex.nelson@actrix.co.nz

Blenheim Coordinators: Peter & Sonia Greenhill Phone: (03) 578 9062 Email: spgreenhill@xtra.co.nz

Past President: Helen Le Cren Phone: 547 6297

Committee Members:

Arthur Anderson - Blenheim Phone 577 7655 Sue Anderson - Blenheim Phone 577 7655 Ross Atkinson - Richmond Phone 544 2032 Frank Davidson - Mapua Phone 540 2514

Sheldon Douglas - Richmond Phone 544 2227 Pat Pascoe - Nelson Phone 548 1093

Newsletter / Website Editor: Don Grant Phone: (03) 528 4031

Email: donandyoka@xtra.co.nz Articles and photo contributions to the newsletter are MOST welcome.

Any member who wants more information, has any issues or

suggestions please call our Club Captain, Geoff Chilton.

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The President’s Report….

Winter is generally not a good time for Club outings however one of the great benefits of being part of a club is that you are taken out of your comfort zone to see or do things that other people find interesting.

My latest highlight has to be the Omaka Air Museum. The displays are truly spectacular and would appeal to all age groups. Pat Pascoe managed to get permission for the group to look thru the aircraft restoration workshops which were really interesting as the attention to detail is a far cry from the mass production we have become accustomed to today. Cameras were prohibited apart from the engine recondition bay.

We also had a look thru the Bristol freighter which I found very basic in the Cockpit area. The Pilots deserved every Dollar they earned. It was most encouraging to get such a good turn out of members. Hope you all enjoyed the day.

A few of us stopped off at the Clansman in Havelock, on the way home for a snack and yak. It now has new owners, is nice inside and not as expensive as it looks from the outside.

The Festival of lights swap-meet in Motueka July 7th would have been a huge disappointment for the organisers, with 2 cars for sale, a refreshment tent, port-a-loo’s and no people. How-ever the next day a great turn-out of cars were evident at the “All British” display day with a number of club members taking the time to go over from Nelson. (This event was shifted from the week before). Richard Horrell put in most of his Ford collection and Guy, Gary, Rod & Carol from Victory Auto had a number of Peter Talley’s cars on display. The Jaguar, Anglia, Mini and Morris Minor clubs were also well represented.

The atmosphere at the mid-winter dinner held on Saturday July 14th was fantastic, with good food, wine and lively conversation throughout the night. Denis & Helen Le Cren, our guest speakers, gave a very interesting short talk on their recent trip to Northern Ireland to cele-brate 100 years of Austin Cars.

Pat Pascoe presented Motor Sport Steward certificates dating from 1995 to Bill Osborne for 17 years and Russell Egan for 22 years of service to the Motor Sport Industry. Congratulations to you both.

Happy motoring and looking forward to seeing you all on future runs.

Frank Griffith

Frankly Speaking...

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Welcome to New Members.

The club is very pleased to welcome the following new members:

Gary & Yvonne Watson - Blenheim 1966 Hillman Super Minx

Jeffrey & Jennifer Grant - Blenheim Jaguar XJ 40

David & Kathleen Donaldson - Blenheim 1992 Porsche 911

Robert & Karen Farnell - Blenheim 1957 Austin Healey 100/6

Joy & Denis Fletcher - Picton 1974 MGB

Chris & Jacquie Bowen - Richmond 1970 Mercedes 250

Garry & Karina Orton - Richmond 1954 Austin Healey 100/4

THE CLUB WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL MEMBERS TO PLEASE WEAR THEIR NAME BADGES WHEN ON CLUB OUTINGS. THIS HELPS NEW MEMBERS TO GET TO KNOW EVERYONE BETTER.

Club Captain’s role explained.

Club Captain Geoff Chilton is available to any members wanting to know how the club works and/or has any new ideas on runs, a rally, car-show or anything else you can think of. Basically he is the liaison person between members and the committee. So if you want to know anything or want to have a grumble then feel free to call Geoff on (03) 547 4446.

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Tour Report: Omaka Aviation Museum

The cold and windy Sunday Morning didn’t deter 34 cars from leaving Nelson at 9am for an 11am meeting with our Blenheim members at the Marlborough Aero Club, Omaka Airfield to view the world’s big-gest collection of World War 1 aircraft.

First stop was to have a look inside the large Bristol Freighter the Aero Club members have parked there. They are trying to raise funds for restoring the old work-horse.

Then it was on to the main event, the magnifi-cent Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum, dedi-cated to the WW I planes and their incredibly brave pilots. I’ve been around a few museums over the years but I have never before seen displays that just to-tally capture both a snapshot of the excitement and at the same time realism that this museum has created.

Full credit to Peter Jackson who owns all of the aircraft and to Weta Workshop for creating a truly outstanding and realistic exhibition.

Did anyone see the small metals darts (aviators dropped them from the sky) that could punch a hole right thru a horse?

Or did you manage to read the story on our own WW1 ace, Keith (Grid) Caldwell, who had to climb out of the cockpit and balance on the wing while still flying his damaged SE5a fighter back from behind enemy lines? He jumped clear as it was about to crash and he survived the war. Later on Grid was C.O. of RNZAF Wood-bourne during the first half of WW11.

Continued next page

May 27th saw over 50 cars travel to Omaka to view the magnificent Aircraft Museum. Don Grant reports...

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Tour Reports: Omaka Aviation Museum

The Manfred von Richthofen tribute was a sombre display. The famous “Red Baron” had been mortally wounded by ground fire while pursuing a Sopwith Camel at low level, just as another Camel was trying to attack from behind. Barely able to hold onto consciousness, the German ace managed to crash-land the crippled aircraft before he died.

The display shows the crashed blood-red Fokker Triplane with the late Baron lying beside it as Australian ground troops tear the Triplane apart for souve-nirs, just as it happened 89 years ago. The actual fabric cross, cut from the starboard fuselage of the Fokker, is framed and hanging near the exhibit.

After lunch we were treated to a behind-the- scenes tour of Antique Aeroworks by Marty, one of the incredibly skilled engineers that restores and builds replicas of World War 1 aircraft. Many club members took time to look inside the various Fokker Triplanes and other rare beasts or browse at 90 year tech-nology and realise how brave the pilots really were to even get into the old warhorses.

After the tour we all meandered home, enthused with a great day out, seeing lots of old and new faces, one absolutely fantastic museum and knowing that we were lucky enough to indulge in what some true artisans have created in Marlborough. A special thanks to Pat Pascoe for organising a wonderful run.

Don Grant

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Omaka Aviation Museum

A 1910 Etrich Taube being chased by a British Be2c. Isn’t she beautiful? Doug & Pam Frost’s stunning Datsun 240Z.

A great turn-out of members and cars. Meet the Fokkers! Club captain Geoff Chilton and his wife Adrianne.

The gorgeous Lotus 7 ready for a day in the sun.

A captured British airman shares a cigarette with the German Ace who shot him down.

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Tour Report: Murchison Day Run

Eleven drivers took the opportunity to test their heaters on a crisp clear morning for a drive to St Arnaud where we gathered in the lakeside shelter as the wind was far too cold to stand at the waters edge. Nine cars arrived from Blenheim making for a fairly full house, which along with a hot cuppa raised our temperatures slightly.

Mt Robert and the surrounding peaks had a good covering of snow, not there a week earlier. The cold was a little too much for the drivers and passengers of two sports cars who opted to return home.

The remaining members motored on to Murchison via the Gowan Valley, some taking a minor detour to Lake Rotoroa, and then through the Braeburn Track. The Braeburn has some lovely scenery, driving through native bush, and four concrete based water crossings, none of which proved to be a problem. We then drove

down the Mangles valley road exiting onto SH6 at Longford to arrive at Rivers Cafe for lunch.

Although the cafe was pre-warned of our num-bers and ETA the staff were unable to cope and while the food was excellent the service left a lot to be desired. The day had warmed up considera-bly so most members visited the museum and the second hand shop before motoring home at their leisure. Thanks to all who joined us.

Sheldon Douglas

June 10th saw 20 members brave the winter weather for a day trip around the southern Tasman District. Sheldon Douglas reports...

Peter & Anne Nelson breath a sigh of relief, having got their MG midget safely across. Bill & Loreen Brehaut took this shot, as that’s the tail of their outstanding MGA lower right hand corner.

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Murchison Day Run

Peter & Sonja Greenhill mid-stream. “Lucky I remembered to put the handbrake on. ‘Her indoors’ would kill me!”

Chris Rhodes’ beautiful Series1 E Type Jag.

Do you have any photos you think that club members would appreciate seeing? Have you taken some snaps on a club run? Then why not email them to us so we can print them in a coming newsletter? It’s your newsletter so help us make it more interesting.

Call Don Grant on (03) 528 4031 or email donandyoka@xtra.co.nz

Members had trouble deciding which of

these 3 was the boy racer!

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All Ford Day - Westport

Queens Birthday saw a number of club members motor thru to Westport for the annual “All Ford Day”. Stephen Martin reports...

We left Nelson on the Saturday, with constant rain all the way, though a good trip nevertheless.

Sunday was show day - and it dawned fine and sunny, a beautiful day. The day began with a gathering of all the cars (nearly 70) then we were off to Cape Foulwind with many of the locals at the ready with a smile and a wave as we passed by.

A special drive thru the local nursing home grounds was greatly appreciated by the older folk who were unable to come to the show.

Cars came from all over the South Island; Zephyrs, Cortinas, Mustangs, Capris and Consuls to name a few.

Prize giving was on the Sunday night at the Westport Working Men’s Club. Much to our surprise our name was called as winner of the “Best English” for the weekend. We were gob smacked - made all the hard work we put in to our car even more worth while.

It was great to see other Nelson and Blenheim Classic Motoring club mem-bers also at the show. Thanks to our mates Ian Bovey & Ladd Robinson in their Anglia’s and a special thank you to my wife Andrea.

Stephen Martin

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Business Update: Victory Automotive

Hi, we’d like to say thanks to the club members who assisted with the May promotion giving locals a ride in a selection of the WOW collection’s cars, this was most appreci-ated, both by the public and the marketing people (who have promised better publicity next time). We would also like to explain about our business and its relationship with the museum.

Victory Automotive Ltd is owned by Garry Orton and Guy Griffith and is based at the museum. We employ Peter Cash full time and are charged with looking after all aspects of the collection’s cars, including:

• Preparing and displaying cars in the gallery

• Sourcing cars not owned by the museum for display

• Sourcing and procuring cars on behalf of the museum

• Restoration from cosmetic to full, of cars purchased

• Maintenance of the collection (approx 100)

• Assistance with functions, promotions, parades etc

We also carry out a variety of work for other customers from minor repairs and ser-vicing to full restorations on both their classic and every-day cars. We are able to assist with sourcing cars and also importation, customs, MAF etc.

Recent projects include a full restoration on a Jensen Interceptor and we are starting other projects like telescopic shocks for Healeys, convertible conversion on a side valve Minor, engine overhaul on a 190 Merc and underway now a gearbox overhaul on a Ferrari Dino new to the district.

The other interesting part of our business is racing. We own three Toyota Racing Se-ries cars along with all the required equipment, tools and transporter. These cars are the fastest class currently racing in NZ and are where the young talent intent on mak-ing the big time develop their skills. Our job is to provide them with good equipment, tutoring and encouragement. We also assist people with their classic racing cars, both with repairs and maintenance, as well as during a race weekend.

So as you can see, we can cope with most things. If your classic needs some minor fet-tling, or a complete makeover, or if you are considering a new purchase and would like some assistance please come in and talk to us, we would like to offer our help.

Cheers and happy motoring!

The Victory Team. Victory Automotive, behind WOW Museum, Quarantine Rd, Stoke. Phone (03) 547 0858 (see advert

next page)

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‘All British’ Car Display - Motueka

July 8th was the Motueka ‘All British’ car display (held over from week before). Don Grant snapped these cars on show...

Aston Martin DB2/4 tries outclassing a Bristol 403 Ian Mason’s Leitch built Lotus 7

1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud Part of Richard Horrell’s line-up of Fords

Musical cars, A,B,C,D & E minor There really is something sexy about Jags!

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Classifieds

If you have a car or automotive part for sale or are in need of a special piece you can’t find why not send us a line and advertise in the newsletter. It’s free for members and goes out to over 230 classic motoring enthusiasts.

Email me at: donandyoka@xtra.co.nz

For all your classic motoring needs from servicing to restoration.

Come in and discuss your requirements with a company that takes an interest in your classic.

Behind the WOW Museum (Entry through WOW car park)

Garry 0274498598 ● Guy 0272855115

Workshop 03 5470858.

www.victoryautomotive.co.nz

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Start of Summer Special Tour

Pat Pascoe has organised what promises to be a fantastic 4 day tour in early November. Here are the details, the rest is up to you..

Itinerary:

DAY ONE: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2nd, Leave Beechwood’s café Murchison at 12 noon and drive to Hari Hari.

DAY TWO: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3rd, Leave Hari twice to Wanaka, via Jackson’s Bay and Haast Pass.

DAY THREE: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4th, Leave Wanaka Transport Museum (beside airport) 11am to Omarama. Lunch at Lindsay & Bev Purvis’s tearooms then on to Methven.

DAY FOUR: MONDAY NOVEMBER 5th Take off home like a sky rocket!

I have held the following accommodation (for 25 cars). Please phone them to make your booking and mention “PASCOE”.

Hari Hari Motor Inn (03) 753 3026

Alpine Motel, Wanaka 0800 828 284 (some 2 room units available from $110)

The Lodge on Chertsey, Methven (03) 303 2000 (some 2 room units available and doubles from $99).

If you want to go then I need the following: Your name, ad-dress, email and phone number along with a cheque for $50 posted to P. Pascoe, 131 Quebec Road, Nelson.

Registrations close 28th August so the first 25 cheques will secure your position. Don’t forget to book your accommo-dation.

Pat Pascoe

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Club Events

Club Runs - Why not have some fun and join us for one of the following?

• August 5th - Informative Day Run. Here’s a chance to learn a whole lot

more about where you live and the surrounds and have fun at the same time. Leaving from the old Nelson Railway Yard (now the Countdown/Warehouse car park, St Vin-cent St) at 10.30am SHARP. Lunch stop at Tapawera where there is a café or bring your own lunch. A charge of $2 per car covers the information pack. Phone Russell Egan on (03) 544 2214 for more details.

• September 2nd - Classic Car and Collectables Show Day hosted

by the Rover Car Club at the Pidgeon Valley Steam Museum, Wakefield. Why not enter your car in one of four classes of judging? Steam rides for the kids, morning and afternoon teas, BBQ lunch. A swap meet kicks of at 10am for buying & selling car parts and related paraphernalia. Judging after lunch until mid afternoon. Certainly a day out for all the family. Entry is $5 per car. All enquiries Phone Chris Clark on (03) 547 9363 or email him on cgclark@ihug.co.nz

• October 14th - Golden Bay Day Run. Our Club Captain Geoff Chilton

and his wife Adrianne have invited members to their holiday home at Patons Rock for a BBQ lunch. Please bring your own food and eating utensils. Adrianne will whip up a salad of sorts. Meet at the NMIT car park, lower Queen St Richmond for a 9.30am start. Phone Geoff Chilton on (03) 547 4446 for more details.

• November 2nd - 5th Summer Special Tour. Nelson to Hari Hari; to

Wanaka; via Omarama to Methven; Home. Phone Pat Pascoe (03) 548 1093

• December 9th - Christmas BBQ breakfast at Rabbit Island. 9am on-

wards, BYO food and we’ll supply some Christmas cheer.

• February 6th 2008 - Waitangi Day Hospice Charity Run. Hope-

fully February will have better weather as this year we have decided to change the Charity Run. Start will be at the Richmond A & P show-grounds at 4pm. There will be two routes around Richmond and Stoke to help ease congestion and unnecessary waiting around. Finish back at the show-grounds for a BBQ tea and public display of cars. This will allow everyone to have more time to look at the cars.

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